McHenry County Begins Vaccinating Residents Over 65

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — McHenry County's department of health on Tuesday announced it is now offering coronavirus vaccines to residents who are 65 years old and older.

The new vaccination effort is made possible through a partnership with supermarket chain Jewel-Osco, which has received a limited supply of the Pfizer vaccine, according to a press release from the county.

The vaccine doses, specifically earmarked for seniors, are allocated to Jewel-Osco in a separate weekly distribution from those that are distributed to health care workers in Phase 1a.

“We welcome any opportunity to increase the vaccine supply in McHenry County and expect to announce additional community partnerships in the coming weeks that will expand options for vaccine administration as we transition into Phase 1b,” MCDH Public Health Administrator Melissa Adamson said in a statement.

As it stands, vaccination is only open to qualifying people in Phase 1a and seniors age 65 and older. Vaccinations have not yet opened to other people in Phase 1b, which includes first responders and those who work in many other essential worker roles.

Related: Priority Enrollment For Coronavirus Vaccine Opens In McHenry County

In a news release, the county said qualifying residents who have completed a vaccine enrollment form will receive an email containing a link to schedule a vaccine appointment at one of two participating Jewel-Osco locations in Huntley.

All residents who qualify for Phases 1b and 1c of the county's vaccination effort can enroll to be vaccinated via the county's website. According to the release, the county will announce additional vaccination opportunities for other Phase 1b groups in the coming week. No additional information was immediately available.

Healthcare workers in Phase 1a of the vaccination plan must complete a separate enrollment form to qualify, also available on the county's webpage.